The Civil Guard dismantled two “human farms” in Valencia in which seven people were detained in precarious conditions in order to control their bank accounts and even gain access to their homes.
Two men – aged 30 and 35 – and a woman – aged 30 – are detained. All are accused of crimes of extortion, money laundering and membership in a criminal organization.
The organization – which operated mainly in the Valencian regions of L’Horta and La Ribera – recruited people in vulnerable situations and benefiting from some form of benefits, such as pensions or public aid. Their documents were stolen and they were forcibly detained in inhumane conditions in two houses in Torrent (Valencia).
The organization controlled seven people. They beat them and abused their mental disabilities to make them sign authorization and representation documents with which the criminal group managed to own up to eleven high-end vehicles. Likewise, different properties were acquired in the cities of Valencia, Torrent and Chiva, which they then rented to third parties for profit.
The organization was looking for people with addiction problems and serious psychological limitations. Most of them had no family or had moved away from them, or were even on the verge of destitution.
The ringleader of the plot would choose his victims and threaten them with a gun or beat them into submission while his wife transferred the money between different bank accounts.
Image of the operation carried out by the Civil Guard
The first information was discovered during the eviction of some occupied houses in Monserrat. Officers found several vulnerable people in one of the occupied apartments, living in appalling conditions. After taking the statement, officers began investigating.
Citizen security agents and the reserve and security group, with the help of a dog service dog, carried out two searches in the town of Torrent, where the members of the criminal group were arrested.
Seven vulnerable people who were detained in these properties, in very precarious situations, were also released. These victims needed health care and were transferred to the social services of Torrent City Hall, where they received the first medical and social assistance.
During the search, officers seized numerous documents relating to the victims. A short firearm was also found which they allegedly used to extort money from their victims and hold them in these houses against their will.
The procedure was handed over to the Court of First Instance and Instruction number 1 of Picassent.
